G35/350z front shocks on S14 (for use of z32 rear upright)

[veilside180sx]

3-4" sounds about right for the difference in height between the 2 shocks. How are the TCKline's?

[AceInHole]

Only have the fronts on, and I may have installed them incorrectly, but so far so good. Haven't turned them up to see what happens yet, but it's only a matter of time before I go heavy on rebound and see if it jacks down while slaloming :)

[AceInHole]

So I just noticed the Konis are slightly longer. They have like another inch of threading that isn't on the OEM shocks. With a spacer they're yet even closer to the S14 OEM setup. It's pretty much perfect for a rear S14 app.... but just in case I'm going to try the OEM G35 shocks on the back of my S14 this week.

[turtl631]

So essentially, this would allow one to get some OTS Koni Yellows that would fit well on a S14 with Z32 spindles and be valved to handle some pretty serious spring rates? No hassle with cutting housings or having to take the dampers off the car to adjust them?

[AceInHole]

I'm like 90% sure this'll work. I just have to start taking **** apart this week to make sure :) The sad part is: TC Kline is no longer making the G35/350z shocks :( You might have to get normal Yellows. I myself am still planning on running the 8611's in back, mostly to keep everything uniform and balanced. It'll also be easier for me to upgrade (revalve) in the future.

[turtl631]

Thanks for investigating this, since I know you've got the 8611s in the works and it probably won't directly benefit you at all. I really want to do the 8610s, but quickly adding up the costs shows it to be pretty expensive pretty quick. It's so frustrating to see things like Bilstein PSS9 setups available for lots of other cars and then nothing but custom stuff for the S14. There's been a lot of grassroots development in the last year or so though; when I bought my Stance coilovers I remember Koni Yellows being the only real alternative, which I couldn't even take advantage of because of my Z32 rear spindles.

[turtl631]

AceInHole, did you ever get to test this on the rear of your S14? If they fit fine I'm tempted to get some TCKs to run in back if they still have any left.

[turtl631]

Nevermind about the TCKs, they won't sell me just the fronts :(

[Def]

Why not look into G35 front Koni yellows? They are externally adjustable AFAIK.

The only thing I'd worry about is the damping being a bit off for the rear of an S14 vs. the front of a Z33/G35 chassis since the motion ratio is different(i think).

[turtl631]

The stock springs are around 300 lb. rates, as well. So the dampers should definitely be valved for stiffer springs than OTS 240SX rear Yellows. How would you expect the damping to be off- just excessive for 240SX rear rates?

[Def]

I imagine you could get the rebound in a "happy place," but since the compression isn't adjustable who knows what the result would be.

I did a quick ebay search and they seem to be about $400 for a pair... honestly edging up on some 8610s out back.

I'll take some measurements of the Z32 rear Konis when I get them in... they might work out for a lowered S14 at the expense of some droop travel(which isn't really used on a short/stiff spring setup).

[turtl631]

True, I imagine with the weight and motion ratio of a G35, compression damping is likely way off from a 240SX rear application. Although I'm guessing about motion ratio- I can't even find a pic of the front G35 suspension.

[AceInHole]

The front motion ratio of the G35 is going to be way different from a 240. The shock is probably 2/3 out on the lower arm.

As for adjustability, the TCK Konis are double adjustable. I'd think it could work, but i'm already going with 8611's in back.

[turtl631]

I may be getting some used TCK Konis for a good price. If they fit and have reasonable travel at a good ride height, this will be awesome. DA Konis for less money than an 8610 setup.

[turtl631]

The front G35 TC Klines arrived today. I think one of them may be damaged though. The tip of the shaft was sticking out the edge of the box and a little oil had dribbled out from it. I set the adjusters exactly the same, compressed both dampers until only 1/2" of shaft was still exposed, and then let them extend on their own. The intact one took about 35 seconds to reach full extension, whereas the one that had leaked a bit took 60 seconds (damaged shock on left, this was just before the intact one reached full extension)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/turtl631/CIMG1335.jpg

Additionally, the adjuster on the one that leaked has about 1mm of longitudinal play.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/turtl631/CIMG1331.jpg

The adjuster on the intact one stays flush with the tip of the shaft.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a160/turtl631/CIMG1332.jpg

Any thoughts? This annoys me, as this isn't a part that's easy to find or service, and if only the shipper had packed them carefully, neither of us would have to worry about it.

[2Fass240us]

Any idea if the rear 350Z struts could be used for anything? I have a pair of NIB Nismo S-Tune ones sitting around.

Sucks about the adjustment part. G/L getting it worked out, and sorry I don't have any advice.

[Wiisass]

Can you send them to TC Kline to get fixed or to Koni? It sucks and it would cost more money, but it would be a good move to get them fixed before you put them on the car and one is good and the other sucks.

As for 350Z stuff, aren't they the same as G35 suspension? I was under the impression that they would work, at least on the coupes.

As for Z32 stuff on an S14, the damper itself is about 5" shorter. So using them without modifying something is going to make things hard or your car is going to be really slammed.

Tim

[veilside180sx]

If they were under warranty, TC will just send them to Koni as they don't do in house repairs.

[ecugrad]

File a claim with UPS and make THEM pay for it.

[turtl631]

Well, I bought them second hand from someone selling a set on my350zforums, so I'm guessing any warranty won't be in effect anymore. They were shipped in a Nismo box that looks like it was originally for shocks, so perhaps there will be some hope for a claim with UPS. I'm going to see what the seller says before I do anything.

Regarding the rear 350Z dampers, I have no idea. I bought these fronts based on AceInHole's measurements and suggestion, but I have no experience with the rears.

[turtl631]

Oh yea, I also discovered from looking at the housings that they are 8242 series Konis. I can't find too much out about them other than the fact that they're double adjustable, twin tube, and rebuildable.

[ecugrad]

Back from the dead!!!

Just trying to make sure of something here, do the G35 front struts fit the rear of a 240sx with the Z32 uprights?

Thanks

[turtl631]

I never test fitted my set, and they're gone now.

[AceInHole]

I've gotta install the rear z32 spindles on my S14 soon, since I'm getting the 8611's on Friday. I'll try to see if the G35 front shocks will actually work as I think they will. I've just gotta replace the TC rods on my girlfriend's sileighty first....

[ecugrad]

I've gotta install the rear z32 spindles on my S14 soon, since I'm getting the 8611's on Friday. I'll try to see if the G35 front shocks will actually work as I think they will. I've just gotta replace the TC rods on my girlfriend's sileighty first....

That would be AWESOME!! Thanks!

[KA240SX808]

Any verification yet?
It's been quite some time now :p

[a_ahmed]

LOL only some time ey zombie revival r us

[KA240SX808]

So I took it upon myself to do some research and this is what I found...

Info taken from Monroe:

Monroe S-Chassis Rear Strut Info:

P#: 71337
Body Length: 18.625
Strut Compressed: 19.250
Strut Extended: 26.625
Travel: 7.375


Prelude 4th & 5th Gen Rear Strut Info:
P#: 71267
Body Length: 17.750
Strut Compressed: 17.750
Strut Extended: 25.250
Travel: 7.500

the only thing I see as a problem here is that the Preludes Spring perch is pre welded on there and looks to be too low on the strut.

It has the same mount as the Z32 on the bottom, IDK how big the top threads are though...